Dr. Patrick Kitzman announced as Healthy Kentucky Champion

Louisville, KY (August 23, 2022) – Dr. Patrick Kitzman is one of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky’s 2022 Healthy Kentucky Champions. The awards recognize individuals dedicated to improving the health of Kentuckians at a community level and/or state level.

Dr. Kitzman is a professor in the University of Kentucky Department of Physical Therapy. He’s also founding director of Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network (KARRN), a team that develops strategies to reduce disability and improve the quality of life for individuals with neurological impairments living in underserved rural Appalachian counties.

Dr. Kitzman and his team established projects CARAT and CARAT-TOP. CARAT (Coordinating and Assisting the Reuse of Assistive Technology) is a program where students learn to refurbish used medical equipment and donate it to those in need in the community. CARAT-TOP (Coordinating and Assisting the Reuse of Assistive Technology- Together One Priority) is a training program created through a partnership with the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health and KARRN. It brings together community members and high school students of all abilities to learn new skills to help individuals and communities impacted by disability.

“Dr. Kitzman’s commitment to helping Kentuckians live fuller, healthier lives has made a real impact,” said Ben Chandler, president and CEO, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. “He sees what is needed in a community and ensures that need is met.”

Dr. Kitzman is one of seven 2022 Healthy Kentucky Champions. Nominations for next year’s class will be accepted starting in October.